Damar Hamlin, safety for the Buffalo Bills NFL franchise, remains in critical condition after collapsing on the field on Monday night during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
According to reports, Hamlin, 24, put in a tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Moments after getting up, however, he fell flat on his back.
Trainers with the Bills treated the player within 10 seconds, while an ambulance arrived on the scene in under five minutes. Hamlin was given CPR on the pitch before being transported to the hospital.
According to Hamlin’s family, he had to be resuscitated twice. A statement released by the Bills on Twitter early Tuesday morning said that the 24-year-old’s heartbeat had been restored on the pitch.
“His heart had went out so they had to resuscitate him twice. They resuscitated him on the field before they brought him to the hospital and then they resuscitated him a second time when they got him to the hospital,” Hamlin’s uncle, Dorrian Glenn told CNN.
The game between the Bills and the Bengals was abruptly postponed and will not be resumed this week, NFL said.
The safety remains sedated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was moved for further testing and treatment.
“Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and remains there today in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. We are grateful and thankful for the outpouring of support we have received thus far,” the Bills stated on Twitter on Tuesday.
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Jordon Rooney, Hamlin’s representative, wrote on Twitter: “His vitals are back to normal and they have put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat. They are currently running tests. We will provide updates as we have them.”
As per reports, Hamlin joined the Bills in 2021, having been a standout at the University of Pennsylvania.
The 24-year-old has drawn praise for hosting annual Christmas toy drivers in his hometown of McKees Rock, Pennsylvania, since before he was a professional athlete.
The initial goal of Hamlin’s drive was to raise $2,500.
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe page has erupted in wake of Hamlin’s incident, rising to well over $6 million.
Unsurprisingly, social media also exploded in an outpour of kindness and prayers for the young football player.
On Tuesday, Hamlin’s family went out and thanked fans and the medical personnel: “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country,” a statement read.
”Please keep Damar in your prayers,” the family said and promised to share new updates ”as soon as we have them.”
According to Jordon Rooney, a spokesperson for Hamlin’s family, Damar is a ”fighter” and his family is in ”good spirits.”
“We’re obviously just taking it minute by minute, hour by hour,” Rooney said in an interview with Good Morning America.
All our thoughts and prayers go out to Damar Hamlin and his family. We hope he is able to make a swift and full recovery.
Please share this article on Facebook if you also want to wish Hamlin well.
